USC striker Amy Rodriguez scored twice in the 4-0 U.S. win overnight in China against Canada to stake her claim for a spot replacing the pregnant Kristine Lilly on the forward line alongside Abby Wambach. The story is here.
I coached Kristine Lilly with the Boston Breakers and Ive seen her play many times,” Coach Pia Sundhage said after her first game in charge of the team. “That is a great player, one of the best in the world, so I would love to see her on the field. But she is pregnant and I am happy that she will have a great family. That means that other players will have to step up and today we saw two goals from (Amy) Rodriguez and two goals from (Lindsay) Tarpley and thats how it will be in the future, new players stepping up to become leaders and goal scorers.
(Rodriguez’) speed is exceptional and the fact that she scored two good goals today is good confidence for her and for the team,” Sundhage added. “There will be different players stepping up at different times and I think that can be one of our strengths. Its not about one player, it will be about the whole team.”
The first half was a little bit quiet, there was not a lot going on,” Rodriguez said. “Abby and I were trying to look for the ball and we didnt get as much of the play as wed like to. In the second half, things turned around. We definitely played a lot more offense and Abby and I were able to get in, I was making runs in behind and luckily the midfielder and defenders were able to play me in.
Incidentally, the AP reporter in China was wrong that this was Rodriguez’ first appearance for the U.S.; this was her sixth cap, but first start.
Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz has more on Tuesday’s trade that sent striker Carlos Ruiz back to the Galaxy, observing that LA has tied up half their salary cap on just three players.
Sounds like a helluva gamble to me for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs the last two years, but U.S. international Jimmy Conrad was ready with the conspiracy theory:
“The league likes to make sure the large markets have as much an advantage over everybody else as they can,” Kansas City captain Jimmy Conrad said. “It’s an important year – I know the final is at the Home Depot Center this year and they want to make sure they have a good team. It’s interesting they all end up there – they’ve got three Designated Players on their team.”
Lastly, the Daily News explores the dilemma for top prep soccer players who must choose between playing for their high school or elite club team here.
